Hublot Big Bang Unico Italia Independent ‘Camo Green’

Became one of the essentials of the Swiss Watchmaking Industry under clever management of Jean-Claude Biver. Hublot presented a new series of Big Bang Limited Edition product line designed in collaboration with the famous Italian fashion brand Italia Independent. Today we have the “Camo Green” version from the Hublot Big Bang Unico Italia Independent Collection.

Hublot proceeds on its way with a vast variety of special and limited models that virtually re-defines the concept while accepting polarized comments. Today, we have the Hublot Big Bang Unico Italia Independent ‘Camo Green’ model, which belongs to the Big Bang Limited Edition series.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Italia Independent Camo Collection features three different models. Both models have limited edition production numbers and focus on the rare (especially for a brand like Hublot) camouflage pattern. The model we have here is the Green Camo version.

The limited edition model sports a new material that we know as Hublot Texalium and the trending carbon fiber. Considering the 45mm Big Bang style case and gold accents, the green camouflage pattern seems pretty weak in hiding the timepiece in or out of nature.

There are so many special and/or limited edition models that even we have hard time keeping up with the novelties. Strategically speaking, this is surely a wise move in terms of marketing, but there is a side effect: Each special or limited edition Hublot timepiece is superbly crafted with a number of both technical and aesthetic details. However, the importance of those details are either ignored or not noticed due to the variety of the versions and their relatively short issuance period. Hublot seems to keep moving in this direction due to the marketing success of their strategy, but horologically speaking, it hurts the nature of the special/limited edition concept.

So, let’s speak about the technical and aesthetic details about this limited edition Big Bang watch. The most distinctive feature of the model is undoubtedly the green camouflage theme. The camouflage pattern is actually a type coating. The method that Hublot used to apply the camouflage pattern onto the case is quite impressive. A translucent layer of camouflage-printed silk is applied over the Texalium case, and this overlaid pattern allows the texture and color of the cutting-edge material to shine through. It’s another perfect example of Hublot doing what they do best, as per their motto “the art of fusion “, by combining unusual materials to great effect.

The case sports AR coated sapphire crystals on both sides. Winding crown, chronograph pushers, hand set and the trademark bezel screws are all made of gold. The watch is water resistant up to 100M.

The semi-skeleton style dial sports the brand’s classic chronograph lay out. The dial looks simply amazing with the gold accents that perfectly match with the green camouflage concept, however the legibility is not the best –as expected from a skeleton dial watch. Thanks to the big Arabic numerals and contrasting gold accents, it is not that bad at all.

The model is powered with the brand’s Caliber Ref. HUB 1242 – a familiar movement from various versions of Big Bang series. The automatic movement can be seen through the sapphire crystal case back.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Italia Independent ‘Camo Green’ is offered on a perfectly matching green textile/rubber strap. The lining of the strap is made of vulcanized rubber which helps the strap to be more resistant to aging and allows the watch to be worn comfortably on hot and humid environments. The upper side of the strap is covered with textile material in matching green.

Let me remind you that this timepiece features the brand’s cleverly engineered, simple strap change system.

The importance of the Big Bang Collection for the brand’s current success is unquestionable. Hublot keeping this collection as one of its flagship series makes sense in the marketing world, However, I still believe that their exaggerated number of special and limited edition models simply hurt the nature of the concept. Through this aspect, I should end up saying “ just another limited edition Hublot Big Bang... “ but as a watch enthusiast I could not do that.

By the way, the watch also comes with a matching pair of Italia Independent sun glasses. Now, how cool is that..?

The model is limited to only 250 pieces. Be sure to stop by the brand’s amazing boutique or the best multi-brand alternative in Istanbul – Quadran Boutique to see this and other models of the collection.